ORLANDO, FL — Manchester City sent out a thunderous statement at the FIFA Club World Cup, dismantling Juventus 5-2 in a commanding performance that saw Pep Guardiola’s side finish atop Group G with a perfect record. With five goals, slick movement, and the return of midfield lynchpin Rodri, City’s display at the Camping World Stadium was as close to perfection as they’ve come this season.
This was more than just a group-stage win—it was a demonstration of dominance over one of Europe’s elite, and a strong reminder of City’s ambitions to capture their first-ever Club World Cup crown.
Rodri’s Return Reignites City’s Engine
After nearly nine months out, Rodri returned to the starting lineup—and City instantly looked like themselves again. The Spanish international brought composure and control to the midfield, dictating the tempo with authority. His presence allowed new signing Tijjani Reijnders to push forward, and the duo completely neutralized Juventus’ transitional play.
Rodri’s 65-minute shift was met with a standing ovation—a reflection of how crucial he is to Guardiola’s system. “When Rodri plays, City have total control of games,” said Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol. And control is exactly what City exerted from the opening whistle.
How the Goals Unfolded
1-0 | 9’ Jeremy Doku:
City started with intensity, and the breakthrough came when Doku, thriving on the left wing, combined brilliantly with Rayan Aït-Nouri before slotting the ball past Szczęsny. The Belgian winger’s flair and pace terrorized Juventus all evening.
1-1 | 20’ Teun Koopmeiners:
A rare lapse from Ederson gave Juve brief hope. The Brazilian goalkeeper, under minimal pressure, misjudged a backpass, allowing Koopmeiners to tap into an empty net. The goal was against the run of play—but short-lived.
2-1 | 28’ Pierre Kalulu (own goal):
Just minutes later, City regained the lead after Kalulu deflected a Phil Foden cross into his own net in a chaotic sequence that summed up Juventus’ defensive woes.
3-1 | 47’ Erling Haaland:
Introduced at half-time, Haaland made an immediate impact. He bullied Gatti off the ball, collected a pass from Reijnders, and calmly finished to bring up his 300th career goal at just 24 years old.
4-1 | 55’ Phil Foden:
Haaland turned provider, sliding the ball across goal for Foden to tap in. The move was a masterclass in pace, timing, and unselfishness.
5-1 | 70’ Savinho:
The fifth goal was a stunner—Brazilian winger Savinho unleashed a rocket from 25 yards that rattled in off the post, leaving Szczęsny rooted.
5-2 | 84’ Dušan Vlahović:
Juventus salvaged a late consolation as Vlahović headed home from a Federico Chiesa cross, but the damage had long been done.
Guardiola: “Best Performance in a Long Time”
Speaking post-match, Pep Guardiola didn’t hide his delight:
“A long time ago [since] we made a performance like today. With and without the ball, the players were committed. We talked about what we have to improve to be who we were in the past. I’m proud of how they played.”
Asked if this felt like the “old City,” Guardiola was cautious:
“Not back, it’s just one game. But today more than anything, the players felt again what we have to do to be a good team.”
City’s Knockout Path Set
By topping Group G, Manchester City will now face the runners-up of Group H—potentially Real Madrid, Red Bull Salzburg, or Al Hilal—in the Round of 16 on Monday. Their side of the draw also includes Chelsea, which means an all-Premier League final is off the cards.
City’s performance suggests they’re not just aiming to go deep—they’re aiming to win it all.
Player of the Match: Rodri
- Touches: 91
- Pass Accuracy: 93%
- Tackles Won: 4
- Interceptions: 3
- Control: Total
Rodri’s return brought balance, security, and a sense of familiarity to City’s midfield—a return to Guardiola’s tactical heartbeat.
Match Summary:
Final Score: Juventus 2–5 Manchester City
Goals:
- Doku (9’), Kalulu (OG 28’), Haaland (47’), Foden (55’), Savinho (70’)
- Koopmeiners (20’), Vlahović (84’)
Possession:
- Man City: 64%
- Juventus: 36%
Shots (on target):
- Man City: 17 (9)
- Juventus: 8 (3)
What’s Next:
Manchester City vs Group H Runner-up
📍 Date: Monday, June 30
🏆 Stage: Club World Cup Last 16
📺 Live on Sky Sports / Stream on NOW
